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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 5.14.19
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Brian Batko
2:00
Good afternoon. Just had a late lunch at home, where I'm cold but also refusing to turn the heat on in mid-May. Let's warm it up with some questions.
CanadianSteelersFan
2:01
How confident are you that Big Ben’s interceptions will drop dramatically without force feeding a star WR to keep him happy? I worry that with integrating the young and new receivers into the passing game, there could be too many interceptions early on due to timing, wrong routes, chemistry, etc.
Brian Batko
2:02
Not that confident, really. While there was undoubtedly a big chest and big mouth to feed there, Antonio Brown was still someone who got open with regularity and even made some spectacular catches when he wasn't. For what it's worth, AB was responsible for a 92.7 percent QB Rating when targeted, according to playerprofiler.com. That ranked him 57th in the NFL, only seven spots behind JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Greg
2:03
Do you think it’s important to stock different types of wide receiver? Boykin seemed like a better draft choice to me when they drafted in the 3rd round. Maybe because JuJu is 6’1” and Moncrief is 6’2” they took a different style of WR? Unless they thought Johnson was truly better, I wouldn’t think you could have enough tall, fast WRs ....
Brian Batko
2:04
That could be part of it. While I think some of the AB-Diontae Johnson comparisons have been overblown, he does have a similar skill set, in theory. If you figure the offense/passing game was a strength last year, might as well try to replace AB with the closest (reasonable) player you can find.
Dr. Strangeglove
2:05
My ears are still bleeding from listening to Romo do analysis.  Can't anything be done about this?
Brian Batko
2:06
Really? I actually enjoy listening to Rony Tomo call games. Although I have heard people like you, Dr. Strangeglove, who do not. In my experience, it's that way with a lot of broadcasters, for whatever reason. Especially true with Steelers fans and Cris Collinsworth, another one I happen to like just fine.
Don from Youngstown
2:06
Who do you expect to be our nickel corner? Hilton got exposed last year and I'm not confident he's the guy anymore.
Brian Batko
2:08
I suppose the possibilities here are Mike Hilton, Cam Sutton, Justin Layne and Steven Nelson. But I don't think Justin Layne will beat out Nelson for the outside job as a rookie, and Layne doesn't have much slot experience. So, making a prediction at your request on May 14, I'll say it's Hilton's job to lose.
Questions
2:08
Could there be any similarities with Sutton Smith and James Harrison? Both small and quick around the edge. How's Smiths  strength?
Brian Batko
2:10
Well, the Steelers certainly hope so. I don't know if James Harrison ever ran a timed 40 or anything like that, but Smith was a 4.69 at the combine. Can't imagine he's stronger than Harrison was (or is) though. The first thing that stuck out to me when I saw Smith at rookie camp over the weekend was just how real those size concerns are with him. Not surprising at all that he was recruited to college as a running back (though I'm certainly not writing him off).
Scott
2:11
Stay strong on the no heat until Halloween pledge. Mr. Big Chest in court today? What's up with that?!
Brian Batko
2:13
Oh, I will. I think I saw that the sun is even supposed to come out sometime in the next few days. Anyway, Antonio was in town to resolve, finally, that rackless driving charge he caught way back in November. Pled down to excessive speed. You can read more about it at this link https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/05/14/antonio-brow...
Stiller fan
2:13
Other than the Pats Steelers game, is there a game that you're looking forward to?
Brian Batko
2:14
I'm most looking forward to Steelers-Bucs Aug. 9 at Heinz Field. Have to take it one game at a time, my friend.
2:16
Just kidding. Ravens at Steelers on 10/6 is always a circled date on the calendar. Also very intrigued by Aaron Donald and the Rams coming here 11/10, the first time in his NFL career he'll play in his hometown. Both Browns matchups, which are only 17 days apart, should be great theater. And, of course, the trip to NY for a rendezvous with Le'Veon Bell in Week 16 could be fun.
What's In A Name
2:17
What's a 'Batko' ?
Brian Batko
2:18
I don't really know, but a lot of people prounounce my name like this machine
zbluez1
2:19
Brian, welcome to the chats! Given the unusual amount of roster turnover that happened after rookie mini camp do you believe the coaching staff is sending a message to the bottom half of the roster that no one is "safe" and they had better push the guys in front of them?
Brian Batko
2:19
Thanks! And I welcome you to my chat. But no, not really. Think it was just garden variety roster shuffling to make room for some guys they liked a little more than the also-rans.
Alan in Nashville
2:20
Hi Brian...I'm probably getting way ahead of myself but from everything I've seen, watched and read about Sutton Smith, the name Zach Thomas keeps coming to mind. I think he'll probably get eaten up as an outside guy but I could definitely imagine him playing next to Devin Bush on the inside 2-3 years from now. The speed, passion and motor are a great mix and he seems hungry. I think he'll be a demon on special teams right away. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:21
Definitely can see him being a huge help on special teams, also like one James Harrison was at the beginning of his career. I like where your head is at with ILB for Smith, but the issue with that projection is that he just simply didn't do that in college. Really hard to know whether he's capable of covering, what his ball skills are like, etc.
CourtneyWest
2:22
Mr Batko, what’s your take on Jerold Hawkins and do you think he’ll break camp as the teams starting RT?? Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:23
Hi, Courtney. He's a big dude, but really no bigger than Matt Feiler or Chukwuma Okorafor, both of whom will be his competition there. I think Feiler will keep the gig, one because he was solid there individually last year and two because continuity on an OL is so crucial, especially when you're trying to keep together a good one.
Steeler1974
2:24
Would having a player like Bush and Barton solve the offensive adjustment issues. They can both play run or pass. Teams should not be able to go big personnel and run at will. Shouldn’t having them on the field make offenses play more honest?
Brian Batko
2:25
Sure, that's the idea. But Mark *Barron has the size of a box safety, and Devin Bush is also quite small. Couldn't help but notice that at minicamp, either. Offensive coaches always have an answer for anything, especially in this day and age, so it won't be easy. The more versatile those two can be, the better. Hence the offseason moves of signing Barron and drafting Bush.
Silly in PHILLY
2:26
Hi Brian.  I heard Ray, Gerry and the other guys are giving you a rookie hazing-  is that true?  And your technically not even a rookie.
Brian Batko
2:27
This is true. So far, I've had to buy Gerry lunch every day at the Steelers cafeteria. Ray makes me plug his laptop into the power strip all the time. I'm starting to crack.
Too Tall Ball
2:28
I may have missed it, but is there anyone currently on the roster to compete with Berry for the punter position?  If not, how can I get a tryout?
Brian Batko
2:28
They did bring in a rookie punter as a UDFA, Ian Berryman from Western Illinois. I still haven't gotten around to watching tape of him with the Leathernecks. Perhaps this will be the week.
Scott
2:29
Did any of the draft picks leave the Steelers wondering why they drafted them?
Brian Batko
2:29
Not yet
What's In A Name
2:29
According to names.com "Batko" originates from Sanskrit which means you might be related to Luke Skywalker's surrogate uncle. Apparently it means "Gift of God" so I'd like to thank Him for your chat.
Brian Batko
2:29
Bless up
pdxJaxon
2:30
So Brian, Im one of those Nutty Draft Freaks...I LOVE IT.
Ive already made my reservations for Vegas Next April.
We all need to get together for a Beer to celebrate our first round Edge Rusher.....Jaxon's buyin
Brian Batko
2:30
There's a place for you and your kind in this world, Jaxon. If the edge position is as deep next year as it was this year, you'll be very happy.
From A2
2:30
I watched Paris Campbell destroy Devin Bush 1 on 1 Why should I believe Bush in coverage against a league of Campbells and better will be any different, considering he's really a hybrid Tomlin Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, safety?
Brian Batko
2:31
Honestly, you lost me when you started talking about sausages.
CoachJyro
2:31
Great Stuff Mr. Batko.  Are you a metrics guy or an eye test guy when it comes to looking at how a game went?
Brian Batko
2:32
Thank you, coach. I'd consider myself more of an eye test guy, in general, not just for football. But I do believe there's a place for metrics and analytics, no doubt. Just not as interesting to me as others.
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